I know the right wing has tried to make liberal into a dirty word, but seriously, folks....

maradnu

12-27-2008, 09:01 PM

"A boiled egg in the morning is hard to beat. "
— Unattributed

I'm amazed at what offends some folks.

Laura

12-27-2008, 09:27 PM

Is that really on the offensive list??

maradnu

12-27-2008, 10:15 PM

Both had offensive ratings of five or more stars.

I don't know if I am helping or hurting, but when I see quotes flagged as offensive, but which I think are pretty benign at best, I rate them at only one star on the offensive scale, which at least brings down the average rating somewhat.

I don't know if the 'offensiveness' is based on average offensive rating, or on whether 'anyone' has rated them offensive. If the latter, I guess my actions are counter-productive.

Nearly anything that mentions G-d is flagged as offensive. Even a Mother Teresa quote that did not mention G-d was flagged as offensive. My mind is still boggled by that one.

bansaisequoia

12-27-2008, 11:16 PM

"A boiled egg in the morning is hard to beat. "

Any conjectures as to why someone found this offensive, maradnu? Or did someone just accidentally click on the offensive stars?

This was offensive?

I know the right wing has tried to make liberal into a dirty word, but seriously, folks....

So far I haven't seen you flagging Ayn Rand, Ronald Reagan or Adam Smith quotes in retaliation.:D

maradnu

12-27-2008, 11:35 PM

Ronnie can be funny -

Before I refuse to take your questions, I have an opening statement. - Ronald Reagan

I have left orders to be awakened at any time in case of national emergency, even if I'm in a cabinet meeting. - Ronald Reagan

It's true hard work never killed anybody, but I figure, why take the chance? - Ronald Reagan

I have not found Ayn to be the slightest bit funny, just hateful in her attitude towards average working people. But that doesn't mean I'll flag her as offensive.

What's to hate about Adam Smith?

I have found some violently sexist comments by the Marquis de Sade to be offensive, as well as some quotes denigrating religions, women, and the like.

maradnu

12-28-2008, 02:13 AM

Two more quotes flagged as offensive by solvers. The first 5 stars, the second ten.

"Two friendships in two breasts requires the same aversions and desires." — Jonathan Swift

"Every time that I think of the crucifixion of Christ, I commit the sin of envy." — Simone Weil

I guess someone thought the latter to be blasphemous. I am not sure why the first was offensive.

bansaisequoia

12-28-2008, 11:14 AM

Two more quotes flagged as offensive by solvers. The first 5 stars, the second ten.

"Two friendships in two breasts requires the same aversions and desires." — Jonathan Swift

Go figure. A google image search of "two breasts" and "desires" might yield some interesting results, but I won't post that here on a family-oriented website.[IMG]http://www.bonappetit.com/images/tips_tools_ingredients/ingredients/ttar_chickenbreasts_01_v_launch.jpg

maradnu

12-29-2008, 05:18 AM

"Every sweet has its sour; every evil its good." — Ralph Waldo Emerson

This one was rated six stars on the offensive scale.:confused:

"Prayer should be short, without giving God Almighty reasons why he should grant this, or that; he knows best what is good for us." — John Selden

Two people rated this one ten stars for offensive. I don't know if they were offended by prayer, or by being told to keep it short.:confused:

Laura

12-29-2008, 06:34 AM

That's really funny! :)

ernests

12-29-2008, 05:58 PM

"Every sweet has its sour; every evil its good." — Ralph Waldo Emerson

This one was rated six stars on the offensive scale.:confused:

To be honest, from what I've read of Emerson, I'd consider him to be one of America's finest purveyors of the stuff you might accidentally step in while crossing a farmer's field. I don't think I've ever marked his quotes as offensive though. Ones that seem particularly wrong-headed I might have occasionally marked as confusing if I was in the mood - i.e. it confuses me how anyone could have said this and be taken seriously - but not offensive. This particular quote doesn't seem bad at all for him.

maradnu

12-29-2008, 07:31 PM

There are any number of quotes that I would tend to take issue with. That I disagree with them does not make them either offensive or confusing - to me at least.

What I find offensive are those quotes which demean or debase another race, gender, or religion, or which advocate, excuse, or condone injury, harm, or violence to others.

ernests

12-29-2008, 10:56 PM

There are any number of quotes that I would tend to take issue with. That I disagree with them does not make them either offensive or confusing - to me at least.

True, but sometimes I feel I should click something, and in the absence of an "Oh for God's sake, that's just stupid" rating, "confusing" is the only alternative.

I don't do that with the "offensive" rating though - the few quotes I mark with that are actually denigrating to some group or other - but maybe some people do use it as an alternative to an "I disagree" button. After all, the rest of the ratings are just for people to express their reaction to the quote - inspirational, thought-provoking, etc. It's only the "offensive" rating that has an actual effect on gameplay for others. Perhaps flagging offensive comments should be separated out from the other ratings to prevent mere disagreement being confused with genuinely saying it shouldn't be there.

ferrym85

12-29-2008, 11:15 PM

What is offensive is very subjective. I think it's unnecessary to even have that as an area you can rate a quote on if only for the people that have "offensive" quotes turned off. They miss out on a plethora of puzzles because a handful of other people deemed them offensive.

Play all the puzzles and then make a mental note not to pay attention to certain attributed authors. Because in the end, does it really matter if it was offensive? It's just a quote in a puzzle and it's off your screen in a matter of seconds or minutes (and hopefully not much longer than that).

I know most of the time I don't even read what the quotes are... I just find the letter patterns and go to town! :D

maradnu

12-30-2008, 01:08 AM

Of course, it is subjective. All beauty and ugliness is in the eye of the beholder.

What has bothered me in the past is that which denigrates others - whether that is sexism, racism, anti-semitism, or any other kind of denigration. I am most offended by some of the violently sexist quotes on this site attributed to the Marquis de Sade. Some of those even border on advocacy of violence towards women.

For all my past ranting, I have not turned off anything.

Just lately, I have been surprised at how seemingly innocuous some quotes are which have been flagged by people as 'offensive'.

ferrym85

12-30-2008, 06:14 PM

Ah, I suppose I just don't see the point in taking offense to any of the quotes on here, regardless of what they say. Most of them are wrong or incomplete anyway or can have a completely different meaning when taken out of context.

I'm interested in what these "violently sexist" quotes are you talk about though. Do you know any off the top of your head you could share?

I will agree it's amusing to see what other people find offensive, especially when it clearly isn't ;)

People are strange...

maradnu

12-30-2008, 06:20 PM

Not everything is relative. That which directly harms another is wrong.

Not all speech is free and protected. That speech which incites harm to others is not acceptable.

That is not to say that there may not be gray areas, but that is an area to tread carefully.

As to offense, some people may be offended by anything which challenges their beliefs or preconceptions.

I am sometimes amazed by that which offends some people, but I am bothered by that which seems to denigrate some group of people, whether that is based on race, religion, gender, or whatever. I am bothered by that which would seem to abet or condone harmful acts towards others.

ferrym85

12-30-2008, 07:58 PM

I don't think anyone is trying to argue that hate speech is ok, haha :rolleyes:

Still interested in these "violently sexist" quotes though. I've solved many of the Marquis De Sade's quotes and found nothing terribly offensive about them. But perhaps that's because I have the ability to laugh at others' stupidity... and I look at the world with a different view than you! :)

bansaisequoia

12-30-2008, 10:04 PM

"If it looks like s**t, smells like s**t, mail it to your enemy... he'll know what to do with it. "
— Doug Horton

This one only got 6.3 stars. And who is this Doug Horton? Looking at his quotes, he would seem to be a protestant clergyman that wikipedia says was noted for his work in ecumenical relations. The only other Doug Horton I can find is a stock car racer of minor repute. He doesn't seem to be the author of inspirational quotes. Can anyone shed light on this?

http://www.chora-strangers.org/files/chora/bk_douglas_horton.jpg

ferrym85

12-30-2008, 10:20 PM

Hahaha, what a fabulous quote! :p

bansaisequoia

01-01-2009, 03:24 AM

ferrym, any idea why this quote gets 5.5 offensive stars?

"Persian pussy from over the sea demure and lazy and smug and fat none of your ribbons and bells for me ours is the zest of the alley cat "
— Don Marquis

http://www.ratemyeverything.net/image/8787/0/moderator_kitteh.ashx

smoochie222

01-01-2009, 05:13 AM

is a character on an NBC soap opera.

smoochie222

01-01-2009, 05:16 AM

sorry his name is bill

smoochie222

01-01-2009, 05:17 AM

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/e/e5/DougJulie70s.jpg

bansaisequoia

01-01-2009, 06:58 AM

Smoochie, thanks for your input, but once again I'm asking all the cryptogrammers on this site if they have any ideas as to the true identity of the Doug Horton who made the quote about human excrescence, and about the mailing thereof to an enemy? Was he truly a Protestant minister who was involved with Ecumenical relations? As I've previously posted, it seems unlikely he was a stock car racer of minor repute.

Or is he this Doug Horton?:Doug Horton, president of Northeast Oklahoma Real Estate Services — the multiple listing service that compiles home sales data — said the number of people from other states looking at homes in the area is growing, especially now.

http://www.sellingsandsprings.com/200803_E4_bTuls41744_E4doug.jpg

maradnu

01-02-2009, 11:29 PM

"If you're in trouble, or hurt or need - go to the poor people. They're the only ones that'll help - the only ones. " — John Steinbeck

Someone rated this 3 stars as offensive. :confused:

maradnu

01-03-2009, 04:53 PM

This one has an average offensive rating of 5.5, based on 4 votes.

"This is the month, and this the happy morn, wherein the Son of heaven's eternal King, of wedded Maid and Virgin Mother born, our great redemption from above did bring. " — John Milton

Even if one is not Christian, I'm not sure why this would be offensive.

The following was 9 stars offensive, based on three votes.

"Do not do unto others as you would that they should do unto you. Their tastes may not be the same. " — George Bernard Shaw

Is irreverent the same as offensive, now?

I guess both reverent and irreverent are offensive - though likely to different folks.

The next was ten stars for offensive. I guess you can't say anything about neurotics, either.

"Neurotics complain of their illness, but they make the most of it, and when it comes to talking it away from them they will defend it like a lioness her young. " — Sigmund Freud